STEVE HANSEN has admitted he will be saddened if his successor as Wales coach dismantles development work already completed.

STEVE HANSEN has admitted he will be saddened if his successor as Wales coach dismantles development work already completed.

And the Kiwi, who becomes New Zealand assistant coach to Graham Henry after the Six Nations, warned there is no point going back to the past.

Hansen even went as far as to predict the current Wales squad wouldn't permit that to happen.

Hansen used Wales's under-fire scrum as a weapon to put across his argument why an old-stager like Llanelli Scarlets prop John Davies should not be plucked from the wilderness.

Wales legend Jonathan Davies has called for the veteran Scarlet's return after the way Wales struggled in the set-pieces against France.

"I defy anyone to pick a better scrum. You can't because the pace of the game is too rapid," argued Hansen.

"You could get someone in to lock the scrum, but you are going to have to get a wheelchair out to wheel him from scrum to scrum," he quipped.

Wales great Jonathan Davies insists the scrum has to be bolstered for the Twickenham Test against world champions England a week on Saturday.

John Davies was tighthead prop when Wales won the 1994 Five Nations and has been an inspiration for Llanelli and the Scarlets since joining them from Richmond.

But he has not had a look-in during the reigns of Hansen and predecessor Henry, the last of his 34 appearances coming during the record 96-13 battering against then world champions South Africa in 1998.

Hansen scrutinised Davies during the Scarlets' recent Celtic League defeat against Celtic Warriors at Bridgend and maintains the man who takes over from him must not go back in time.

"We have built a foundation to put something on. The foundation is there, but the walls have to be built and the roof has to be put on," he said.

"Whoever comes in next as coach, his job will be to put the walls up."

Hansen hopes his successor - Scarlets coach Gareth Jenkins and Harlequins boss Mark Evans are in a two-horse race to succeed him - won't tear up his blueprint for the future.

"I would be disappointed, but I don't think the players will let that happen," said Hansen.

"One of the things we have done is given them responsibility. You can't be any good if you don't take ownership, not just the players but coaches and administrators.

"Rather than be followers the whole time we want them to be leaders.

"I am sure the new coach will come in and change a few things. There's no doubt about that but, hopefully, he would not have to rip the whole paper up."

He insisted next month's parting of the ways with Wales after two years in charge which has brought 10 wins - Scotland are the only established rugby nation they have beaten - and 21 defeats will be emotional.

"When the time comes it is going to be sad. I have enjoyed my time here working with these players because they have always given everything for the coaching staff," said Hansen.

But he wouldn't be drawn on who his successor should be, saying, "I don't know."

However, Hansen did criticise those who are insistent a Welshman should lead Wales into battle in Argentina (twice) and South Africa next summer.

"There are always going to be those people who think to coach the Welsh side you have got to be a Welshman," said Hansen, before going on, "That's irrelevant, as far as I am concerned."

He was adamant Wales will go to Twickenham to face an England side stunned by Ireland last weekend with the enthusiasm they possessed during the 29-22 defeat against France at the Millennium Stadium, a result that ended their hopes of winning this year's Six Nations.

"We have got two weeks to try and make some improvements. As will England - they will be asking themselves some questions."